Chapter 26

1 Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, cometh to Hachilah against David. 5 David coming into the trench stayeth Abishai from killing Saul, but taketh his spear and cruse. 13 David reproveth Abner, 18 and exhorteth Saul. 21 Saul acknowledgeth his sin.

1. Hachilah. See on ch. 23:19. Many try to equate the narrative of this chapter with that recorded in chs. 23 and 24 and give as their reasons the following similarities: (1) the Ziphites as Saul’s informants, (2) David’s location in Hachilah, (3) Saul’s company of 3,000 men, (4) the urgings of David’s men that he kill Saul, (5) David’s refusal to touch the Lord’s anointed, (6) Saul’s penitence, and (7) David’s comparison of himself to a flea. On the other hand there are marked differences, such as: (1) David’s place of hiding; (2) the discovery of Saul, in the one instance, after he entered the cave, whereas in the other the movements of the king were observed by scouts; (3) David’s material evidence, in the first instance a piece of Saul’s garment, in the second, Saul’s spear and water cruse. There is no valid reason for accepting the two accounts as variant renderings of the same incident. Between the two incidents David had been hiding in the Wilderness of Paran and had had his unfortunate experience with Nabal. Now, as he came north again, the Ziphites reported his presence to Saul. Exasperated that David would dare return to the district around Hebron, Saul forgot his recent promise to his son-in-law, and in a fit of madness started once more on the warpath to capture his rival.

5. Trench. Heb. maФgal, a “[wagon] track,” an “entrenchment,” perhaps a “camp.” The word occurs in ch. 17:20 for the encampment or entrenchment of Saul’s army at the time of Goliath’s challenge. Probably David and his men saw the opposing army pitching their camp for the night and David could see Saul’s place in the midst of his army. Abner, Saul’s cousin (ch. 14:50), was his bodyguard.

6. Ahimelech the Hittite. This man’s name occurs only here. Hittites are mentioned as early as the time of Abraham (Gen. 23:3–20). These descendants of Heth were settled about Hebron. From them Abraham purchased a burial place for his wife, Sarah. Later the Hittites developed into a powerful nation, occupying a strategic position in Asia Minor, and in due time became the balance of power in the district near the great bend of the Euphrates River in what is now known as northern Syria and Turkey. Then when the Aegean Sea Peoples migrated through Asia Minor on their trek toward Egypt, the Hittite empire was practically wiped out of existence. There were Hittite remnants in Palestine in Solomon’s day (1 Kings 9:20, 21). Probably this Ahimelech was in some way connected with the tribe of Judah through marriage, and felt he would be safe only by connecting himself with David. He had probably distinguished himself so greatly that David had given him a place as his guard.

Abishai. The grandson of Jesse. Abishai was the son of David’s sister, Zeruiah, and therefore David’s nephew. Abishai’s brother Joab (1 Chron. 2:16) was the leader of David’s forces.

8. Let me smite him. Abishai had not learned the difficult lesson of exercising magnanimity toward an enemy. Saul had started an intertribal feud between Benjamin and Judah, and Abishai evidently concluded that such an action called for retaliation. Saul had thrown his spear at David, but had missed. Now, according to Abishai’s judgment, it was David’s turn, and as his bodyguard, Abishai was offering to act on behalf of his uncle.

9. Destroy him not. David exercised independent thought. He was above taking any living man as his criterion for conduct. He had developed his philosophy of life, not from tradition, but from the principles laid down in divine revelation. Among the precepts of the Mosaic law, with which David had familiarized himself, was the following: “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people” (Ex. 22:28, RSV). David possessed keen spiritual discernment and understood this law to prohibit such action against the king as Abishai advocated. David’s spiritual interpretation of the Mosaic regulations was far advanced over that of the Jewish leaders in Christ’s day, who tried to maintain the letter of the law while violating its spirit! David’s ability correctly to interpret Scripture was aided by the guidance given him through (1) the prophets, (2) the Urim and Thummim, (3) the mileposts of providential protection that, for many years now, had been erected in his life, (4) the historical evidences of God’s power during the past centuries as rehearsed at the feet of Samuel in the schools of the prophets, (5) the inspiration received through his association with kindred souls filled with the same spiritual discernment, and (6) the gift of the Holy Spirit that enabled him to speak by inspiration (see 2 Sam. 23:2).

10. As the Lord liveth. David was content to leave all in God’s hands, and in no way try to prescribe the course for God to follow. He gladly laid all his plans at the Master’s feet, to await patiently the unfolding of the mysterious workings of God.

11. The spear. David was keenly alive to the need of securing material evidence of his attitude toward Saul. While expecting God to do great things for him, he knew that he too had a part to act in the present situation.

12. A deep sleep. What an encouragement it must have been for David to realize the protection of the Most High as he and Abishai carefully threaded their way through the ranks of Saul’s forces! The miracle that enabled these men to move back and forth through the lines of 3,000 men, to the very center of the group, without detection, was evidence as to which side of the controversy Providence was on. The intervention was a condemnation of Saul’s changeable nature in pledging himself to one thing, and a short time later violating his word and doing exactly the opposite.

17. Is this thy voice? Since it was probably still dark, Saul would be able to recognize David only by his voice.

18. What have I done? David’s attitude toward Saul was respectful and full of loving entreaty. He might have said, “Why have you violated your covenant with me before God? How long are you going to continue sinning against me and against the Lord?” But these words would only have roused the anger of Saul. It requires tact to administer rebuke so as to achieve a changed attitude on the part of the one in error. David’s effort accomplished all that might be expected from one so hardened as Saul (see v. 21).

19. If the Lord. David presents before Saul two possible solutions that might be paraphrased thus: (1) If because of a sin on my part, ignorantly committed against you or against all Israel, over which you are the anointed king, God has impressed you to execute judgment against me, permit me to follow the instructions in the Torah and seek forgiveness in the divinely constituted manner (Lev. 4). (2) But if through vile, slanderous gossip, if through whispered calumnies, you have been urged to hunt me down as a rebel, feeling I am trying to usurp your place, the evidence at En-gedi and again here proves the falsity of such words and actions. Therefore those who are urging you on are cursed before God according to the regulations of the same Torah (Deut. 27:24–26), and you should not follow them, nor be guided by their counsel.

Driven me out. David poured out his heart to Saul as in a fit of despondency. Instead of being accepted as a servant (v. 18), which position he would have been so happy to fill, he had been pursued as an outlaw; his king had become his enemy, and the one he would gladly follow with respect had now compelled him to flee as a partridge on the mountain (v. 20). But far worse than this, he was being driven from “the inheritance of the Lord,” the land of his forefathers, and from the religion that had been his chief joy and solace all these years. He had been forced to live in the holes of the earth, in the wildernesses of the desert, and among the enemies of his own people. Now the only apparent safety for him and his men lay in utter exile.

20. A flea. Literally, “one flea,” as in ch. 24:14.

21. Then said Saul. Saul found himself completely overcome for the moment when he saw that his life had once more been precious in the eyes of David. The magnanimity of this outlawed patriot forced from his lips several noteworthy confessions: (1) “I have sinned” in secretly planning the death of a neighbor; (2) “I have played the fool” in repeating my attempt to kill the one who has graciously spared my life; (3) I “have erred exceedingly” in giving way to self-pity and the passion of the lower nature. He invited David to return to Gibeah and pledged his protection. Though the invitation to return was a kindly gesture, it would have led to an exceedingly difficult situation, for Saul had given David’s wife to another (ch. 25:44).

22. David answered. The narrative records no direct reply of David acknowledging Saul’s invitation. Perhaps there was in Saul’s tone, rather than in his words, somewhat of a patronizing air that David was quick to discern, and that convinced him that the one now apparently so humble was still proud and obstinate. David had no assurance that Saul’s present frame of mind would long continue.

24. Much set by. Literally, “magnified,” that is, great in value. Twice over, David asserted his integrity in preserving Saul’s life, but instead of trusting himself in the hands of the king he prayed God’s protection over himself in all his tribulations.

25. Went on his way. Despairing of any permanent change in Saul’s attitude, David chose to remain a fugitive.

Ellen G. White comments

1–25PP 668–672

1, 2, 4–8PP 668

9–19PP 671

15, 16  PP 698

21, 22  PP 671

25   PP 672